While criminal lawyers defend individuals accused of crimes and civil court attorneys seek justice for victims of negligence, family law attorneys focus on deeply personal matters that shape their clients’ futures. Family law plays a pivotal role in addressing issues that affect the very fabric of daily life, helping individuals navigate emotionally charged situations with guidance and care.
Many people think of family law attorneys as divorce lawyers, but that’s only a portion of what a family lawyer does. Family law is an area of the legal world with deeply emotional impacts on those who seek legal representation for some of the most sensitive and personal issues of their lives. A family lawyer must have deep empathy for their clients and an assertive drive to help them obtain critical goals for their families. They must also have a wealth of experience in state family law and the family court system.
Family law covers a broad range of legal issues, all related to family matters that hit close to home. Family law is the area where personal family issues and the legal system intersect. A family lawyer navigates family-related matters including:
Even within the category of divorce law, family lawyers have a broad array of issues to manage for their clients, sometimes including high net-worth divorces, divorces between business owners, and divorces between spouses with diverse assets. Family law also sometimes intersects with criminal law, such as dealing with emergency restraining orders and allegations of domestic abuse, child abuse, and child neglect.
Legal processes and court proceedings are complex. Making a paperwork error, missing a filing date, or poorly representing your requests in court during critical legal matters that impact your family, children, and home life can have devastating consequences. A family lawyer does the following:
Often, hiring an attorney helps to avoid lengthy, costly, and adversarial court processes; however, should a court be necessary in your case, it’s crucial to have an attorney assertively representing your best interests to maximize your chances of achieving your desired outcome.
Most family lawyers charge between $250-$500, depending largely on their experience and reputation. Some may charge more for high-conflict cases. Most family law attorneys require a retainer—an upfront fee that serves as a deposit for the family lawyer’s legal service. It’s critical to discuss your attorney’s fees during your initial consultation so you have a clear understanding of the individual attorney’s fee structure.
When you’re looking for an attorney for a family law matter, it’s important to find the right fit to represent you in intimate and often highly emotional legal issues. Look for an experienced attorney with many positive client testimonials and reviews. It’s helpful to choose an attorney with a policy of open, honest communication so you’re never left in the dark about the progress of your case. Finally, it’s critical to select a family lawyer with whom you have a good rapport and feel comfortable discussing highly emotional matters as well as economic ones.
If you think a legal case involving your family is on the horizon, nothing is more important than choosing the right lawyer to ensure you obtain a favorable outcome so your family can move forward in the best way possible. Call the Chandler divorce attorneys at Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC for the combination of compassion, competence, and in-depth understanding of Arizona family law you need for your case.
